A/N: Because of a request, I've expanded the story to add more. I hope you guys like it.

They were bound to meet up sometime. He was Richard Grayson, the orphan who got lucky, the prince of Gotham. You couldn't go a day without hearing about him. She was Barbara Gordon, the daughter of the honored commissioner. But, nobody thought that their meeting would be so... terrible. It was the annual Christmas Ball. Which meant that anyone who's anyone would attend. Including Richard Grayson and Barbara Gordon.

"Daddy, do I have to go? Please? It'll be boring and I hate dresses," Barbara whined as she sat stubbornly on her bed.

"Honey, it's the Christmas Ball. I have to represent the police force,"Commissioner Gordon sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose.

"I don't need to represent the police force."

"...You're going and that's it."

"Daddy!"

"Come on, in the car. We're going to be late."

"Good!" Barbara sulked as they drove to the ball.

"We can still turn around."

"Barbara no." Gordon reached for his extra Advil. "If it makes any better, Richard Grayson is going to be there."

"I don't want to hang out with a spoiled rich kid."

"Don't judge so quickly Barbara, you don't know what's he's been through."

"I've read the magazines Dad. Everyone knows what he's been through... can I go home now?"

"Barbara we haven't even arrived yet."

"Look again, Daddy."

"We have arrived. Barely been here yet I already have a headache."

"I love you too, Daddy."

"Get out of the car and socialize."

Barbara climbed out of the car and was blinded by the flashing lights.

"Come on dad, lets get this over with."

Although she came unwillingly, the sight of the ball was almost enough to change her mind. Almost.

"Barbara, there's Bruce I'll introduce you."

"You really don't have to."

"Barbara, behave."

Commissioner Gordon walked over to Bruce Wayne.

"Bruce! Pleasure seeing you here. This is my daughter, Barbara." Gordon gestured to Barbara.

"Likewise Gordon. Richard is by the buffet. Barbara, why don't you say hi?"

Barbara walked to the buffet silently cursing with every curse word an eight-year old knows. She spotted a dark-haired boy by the punch.

"Hey, you must be Richard. I'm Barbara."

"Call me Dick, everyone does."

Barbara crossed her arms and laughed. "Well you certainly look like a dick."

"Coming from the ginger."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"I've always wondered... what is it like, not having a soul?"

"Wonderful, makes it easier to kill you without regret."

"As if you would kill me. I doubt a girl can."

"Wanna find out circus boy?"

"Try me, Weasly."

That sent her over the edge. She grabbed the nearest thing she could

find, a platter of croissants and threw it at his face. Dick dodged

and it hit the mayor's daughter. After that everything was just a blur

of pasta, soup, and the occasional lady screaming about her dress.

Commissioner Gordon dodged a crêpe. Barbara! He stomped over to Barbara

and stopped her from grabbing the fruit platter. She was covered from

head to toe in chocolate and various appetizers.

"Barbara it's time to go."

"But daddy it's just getting fun!"

"..."

"Fine."

Barbara walked away with her dad. But then she turned around. "See you

later, Circus Boy."

10 years later...

"Hey Dick!"

"Hi, Gordon."

"Merry Christmas!"

"Christmas Eve."

"Same difference." Barbara started walking with him.

"Do you remember? When we were eight, this was when we first met. And we started a food

fight with Gotham's richest?"

"I was grounded for a month, I remember, Babs."

"And I threw a platter of croissants at you?"

"I thought we decided to never speak of that again?"

"Oh yeah... Hey wanna go to the movies later?"

"Sure, see you then, Ginger."

"Don't be late, Circus Boy."